Dallas Cowboys Defeat Seattle Seahawks 17-7 in 2026 NFL Preseason Opener, Powered by Rookie Camden Brown’s Highlight-Reel Catches
The 2026 NFL preseason kicked off in earnest on Saturday night, August 15, at Lumen Field in Seattle, where the Dallas Cowboys defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks 17-7. The official NFL YouTube channel has the full game available (titled Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks | 2026 Preseason Week 1), offering fans a complete look at a contest dominated by backups, roster hopefuls, and one breakout undrafted free agent.
With most starters resting for both sides—standard practice early in the preseason—the game served as an extended evaluation period. Dallas sat its stars, including Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, while Seattle held out Sam Darnold and other established players. What unfolded was a low-scoring, penalty-heavy affair (21 flags total) that the Cowboys controlled after an early deficit.
Scoring and Key Moments
Seattle struck first. Backup quarterback Drew Lock guided an efficient 13-play, 80-yard opening drive, capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. Jason Myers’ extra point made it 7-0 Seahawks late in the first quarter.
Dallas responded methodically. Kicker Brandon Aubrey drilled a 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter to cut the lead to 7-3. Then, with time winding down in the half, Sam Howell connected with undrafted rookie wide receiver Camden Brown on a 39-yard touchdown strike. Brown outfought a defender for a contested catch in the end zone, and Aubrey’s kick gave the Cowboys a 10-7 lead at intermission.
The third quarter belonged to Brown again—and to Joe Milton III. On the opening drive of the second half, Milton found Brown in the back left corner of the end zone on a fade route. Brown hauled it in with a spectacular one-handed grab for a 2-yard score, pushing the lead to 17-7. The Cowboys’ defense, under new coordinator Christian Parker, then clamped down completely. Seattle managed zero points the rest of the way despite several red-zone opportunities, including a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter.
Final score: Cowboys 17, Seahawks 7. Dallas outgained Seattle significantly (338 total yards to 156) and controlled time of possession.
Standout Performances
Camden Brown was the clear star. The 6-foot-2, 204-pound undrafted free agent out of Georgia Southern (via Auburn) finished with three receptions for 62 yards and both of Dallas’s touchdowns. His two scores—one a contested deep ball, the other a one-handed circus catch—quickly circulated as the game’s must-see plays. Brown had already turned heads in training camp; this performance elevated his case for a roster spot or elevated depth role among Dallas’s wide receivers.
The Cowboys’ quarterback battle also advanced. Sam Howell went 8-of-12 for 94 yards and a touchdown. Joe Milton III was even sharper at 12-of-15 for 107 yards and a score. Both looked comfortable against Seattle’s reserves.
On the other side, Lock and third-stringer Jaylen (Jalen) Milroe rotated for Seattle. Lock engineered the early touchdown drive but the Seahawks’ offense stalled thereafter, finishing with just 49 passing yards overall. Running back George Holani led Seattle with 42 rushing yards on 12 carries.
Dallas’s defense impressed after the opening drive, forcing stops and limiting big plays. Minor injuries occurred (including a chest issue for Cowboys running back Phil Mafah), but nothing major was reported for either team’s key reserves.
Broader Context and Takeaways
Preseason games are about evaluation more than results, and this one delivered clear data points. For the Cowboys, depth at wide receiver and the backup quarterback competition look promising, while the new defensive scheme showed early cohesion even without starters. For the Seahawks, the backups struggled to sustain drives after the initial success, underscoring the gap between the first team (which will raise its Super Bowl banner soon) and the rest of the roster.
The full broadcast on the NFL’s YouTube channel captures the atmosphere at Lumen Field, the play-by-play of every drive, and the crowd’s reactions to Brown’s catches. It also includes the usual preseason flavor—plenty of penalties, experimental packages, and young players fighting for jobs.
Dallas improves to 1-0 in the preseason and next faces the Arizona Cardinals. Seattle falls to 0-1 and continues evaluating its depth ahead of the regular-season opener. For fans, the video offers an early, unfiltered look at the 2026 season’s supporting casts—and one rookie who refused to stay in the background.